I think it was like the third or fourth kick like that he threw, it had cowboy stiffen the leg and shake it out, had my cringing.
They can definitely hyper-extend the knee, which is why I'm not a fan of them. There is a way to through the technique where it is PURE devastation or no effect at all. THere is almost no middle ground with the technique.
What Bendo was throwing was the former.... and they do very little, save for when the opponent has too much weight on the lead leg and it explodes. It happens more based on placement than power. I've posted the pic of my friends knee a couple of times after I hit him with the technique.
The move is primarily used for distance, and for disrupting the opponent's movement. In that way it is effective. However, I think it is misguided to consider it on the same level as a hook, cross, or even a stiff jab... because the effect is so little unless you accidently target the cap itself and destroy the knee. This is, again, based more on the motion of the opponent than the maneuver itself.
**For reference, I trained Tang Soo Do and have trained Muay Thai for over a decade.
Oh yes, really liked those kicks. Seem a lot harder to check too, since you are usually expecting something else.
It's a technique that is great for taking on guys like Cerrone. He likes clinching and distance, so if you step in close and he's looking to grab you, that leg is usually wide open due to his base. It can, however, be countered with a back-leg knee check and you can mess up your shin majorly.
